If you have a day in Addis whether for transit or for a visit, here are five things you should not miss. Here are some tips from Addis Ababa Hotel Guide.
Tomoca Cafe
There can be no better way to get ideas sharpened about a day in the city than at Tomoca the home of modern coffee roasting in Ethiopia. It is the oldest coffee roasting business in Ethiopia opened in 1953.
The company name is an abbreviation of “Torrefazione Modern Café” or the modern coffee roasting café. The coffee is fully Arabica from Harer, Yirgachefe and Sidamo the three top coffee producing regions of Ethiopia. The magic, however, is in the blend, and this is kept a closely guarded secret.
Drinking coffee at Tomoca is an experience that rises high above the branded coffee shops of the west. One may sample traditional espresso macchiato café latte and cappuccino while standing at high tables, soaking up the atmosphere of early morning Addis.
Such is the fame of Tomoca that additional branches are springing up around the city. However, as a start to the day, the experience and ambience of Addis’s original coffee house (whose décor has hardly changed since it opened decades ago) is something of an experience.
Entoto Mountain and Menelik Palace
In the church compound, one will visit the palace, built in traditional style for the emperor and the empress, perching on the hill top, high above the city. Its location provides a good viewing site of the city below.
The palace contains an assembly room, banquet halls, and a reserve room for amenities. Located beside the church and the palace compound is the Menelik museum, rich in imperial artifacts and ecclesiastic items that will give one a real sense of what was an important period of Ethiopia’s history.
National Museum
Meandering through four separate exhibition halls one can view paleontological archeological and historical items as well as ethnographic objects and artifacts,. In the basement, the 3.2million years old Dinkinesh (Lucy) and other fossils as well as stone tools are conserved.
The first floor is devoted to cultural heritage, historical and archeological findings (organized under ancient, medieval, and contemporary) culture of the nation. The second floor houses an ethnography display where various collections of traditional and ceremonial costumes and related attire depict Ethiopia’s cultural mosaic. The third floor houses modern and contemporary art. Amongst the treasures on exhibition are works by Ethiopian meter artist lauret Afework Tekle.
Merkato Market
A place of wondrous diversity and is made up of a myrad of different areas categorized commodities are sold one will find agricultural and manufactured goods sold in spite of fluctuations in temperature scorching sun and freezing cold.
Working side by side with the poor are the wealthy merchants as Merkato is equally the throbbing heart of Ethiopian commerce where wealth is stored in abundance. The social composition of Merkato is striking as it is the meeting place and melting pot of Ethiopian people. Everything and anything can be bought, at any cost. Mercato is for everyone.
Habesha 2000 Cultural Restaurant
There are Ethiopian specialties cooked to perfection served with delicious injera. The menu is varied and offers something for all palates. What an excellent way of experiencing Ethiopia’s rich selection of dishes all at the same place.
